Ring of fire, Ring of Air, Ring of ? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 08-06-2012, 12:33 PM

I agree that the Three elven rings mirror the fate of the silmarils cast in to fire and water and borne up in the air. Earth seems a bit too static and somehow it seems to me that since the stones and metal came from earth, earth didn't need a ring... but that is just my impression. As for the Elessar, there are various versions of its origins but the ethos behind it is different. It was always intendend to be and instrument of healing power rather than commanding power so I don't quite see it fitting in with the rings.

Lollipop010900 · 08-06-2012, 11:48 PM

I think that maybe Tolkein had the idea that fire, water and air made up the earth, meaning that there was no need for a fourth ring because the other three already fixed the problem. Also, in the poem about the rings, it says, "Three for the elven kings under the sky." If there were FOUR rings then the poem would go thus, "Four for the elven kings under the sky." Which doesn't sound anywhere near as good.

08-06-2012, 12:33 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I agree that the Three elven rings mirror the fate of the silmarils cast in to fire and water and borne up in the air. Earth seems a bit too static and somehow it seems to me that since the stones and metal came from earth, earth didn't need a ring... but that is just my impression. As for the Elessar, there are various versions of its origins but the ethos behind it is different. It was always intendend to be and instrument of healing power rather than commanding power so I don't quite see it fitting in with the rings. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-06-2012, 11:48 PM	#2
Lollipop010900 Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 47	I think that maybe Tolkein had the idea that fire, water and air made up the earth, meaning that there was no need for a fourth ring because the other three already fixed the problem. Also, in the poem about the rings, it says, "Three for the elven kings under the sky." If there were FOUR rings then the poem would go thus, "Four for the elven kings under the sky." Which doesn't sound anywhere near as good. __________________ “That's the only place in all the lands we've ever heard of that we don't want to see any closer; and that's the one place we're trying to get to! And that's just where we can't get." - Sam